Meet Donna Carlson
I'm Donna and have multiple coaching certifications including being a CERTIFIED Grief Coach.
I have felt the pain and grief of losing many loved ones, a difficult divorce, living with an active addict, and financial scarcity.
Through all of my pain and loss, I discovered that one of my true gifts is my resiliency and ability to help women who are ready to move from grief into healing, hope and happiness.
I am so blessed for the lessons that my life continues to teach me and honored and happy to help you support you on your journey towards a new empowered life!
Want to learn more about how you can transform your life?
My Certifications & Training
Many of my coaching clients seek interactions with horses because we feel peace, serenity & relief around them.
I want to help you take that feeling into the rest of the world. You don't have to do it alone and I would be honored to support you along your way.
Togther we can help you transition to where you dream of being.
Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM)
Certification from the Touched by a Horse Program in Elizabeth, Colorado
Individuals from all walks of life and all ages can benefit from EGCM coaching. If you have experienced a life change, trauma or incident that you know has deeply effected you and are now ready to clear the influences of those events from your path to growth, the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® may be for you.
Because the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® often immediately creates a release of energy and emotional blocks, you will feel as if you are leaving your past emotional pain in the sand where the session was held.
Contrary to most forms of talk therapy that can last for months or even years, the work is generally completed in a few sessions. Many experience permanent resolution to the issues worked on during their sessions and find that the process elicits lasting change in their lives.
Integrative Nutrition
Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, New York
Empowering women to take control of their health to reach their health goals, including:
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weight loss
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stress management
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resolving chronic conditions through diet
Grief Educator
Certification from David Kessler and Grief.com
I am a Certified Grief Educator and am committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief.
Certified Grief Educators completed a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler. I bring his unique methodology, tools, and decades of experience to help people navigate the challenges of grief.
Equusology
The Art of Horse-Human Relationships to learn how to decipher horse and human typology.
Learn how to decipher your and your horse's temperament. Understand how you compare and contrast and celebrate the differences. Let's answer the question: Why does my horse act like that?
You already love your horse, now get to know her a little better and how you can communication with her more clearly.
Happy For No Reason Certified Trainer
Learn How to Be Happy From the Inside.
For the first time in history, science has cracked the happiness code. We actually know what it takes to be happier.
That’s GREAT. I think that should be headline news (or taught in schools).
You can learn about the most exciting findings in happiness and most importantly, what you can do right away to be happier. You’ll leave with some practical tools you can use every day to be happier.
See my page on My Happiness Workshop.
I'd love to share a bit more about my background.
I have reinvented myself in several career paths — each time, moving closer to my true passion of helping humanity through the gift of the healing.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia — but was drawn to all things country especially animals and even more horses. I feel so fortunate to have had incredibly knowledgeable and talented trainers who taught me the respect and deeper understanding of the horse. I have been a successful equestrian for over 50+ years, riding, training, breeding and showing Morgan horses. I have ridden and shown in most disciplines including driving, and the last 20 years have been riding Classical Dressage and Western Dressage. I even worked on the racetrack grooming and exercising horses.
My first job as a child was working for a veterinarian. It helped to pay for my weekly riding lesson. I continued working for veterinarians through my twenties and was considered a vet tech. I was also the Director of Development for the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Caring for animals is in my blood and heart.
Even before I became a certified EGCM coach, I knew the healing power of horses.
In 2016, I graduated from the prestigious and intensive Equine Gestalt Coaching Method (EGCM) Certification Program of Touched by a Horse of Elizabeth, Colorado. Also, in 2019, I received my Certificate in Naturopathic Wellness Coaching from the Institute of Naturopathic Wellness in Florida, and my Certificate in Integrative Nutrition from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC.
I am now a Certified Grief Educator from the world renowned grief expert David Kessler. I have had so much loss in my life and have enormous compassion for those in grief and can support and help those who are feeling stuck and are ready to move forward in their lives. I also incorporate my certificate in Happiness Training to help you learn to be happy on the inside and create a happier life and home.
Additionally, I have an extensive background in business and higher education and have a love for learning. I hold a BA in Economics and attended Law School. In college, I was also drawn to psychology and took numerous classes during both undergraduate and graduate work including extensive coursework in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Also, since a young adult I have been interested in food and cooking, nutrition, and staying healthy. I am a self-taught cook and enjoy cooking meals for my partner and family. As an equestrian, I have always known the importance of keeping my body in shape and I diversify my activity program with yoga, riding, walking and strength training.
In addition to my coaching business I also had my own dog grooming business for ten years and have been a Realtor for 20 years. I understand the trials and freedom of being an entrepreneur.
So Clear and Open
"I had no idea what I was getting into as I entered Donna's barn but I left feeling so clear and open to healing myself. As someone who struggles to take time to focus on ME, that is a big deal.
The coactive therapy with Donna and the healing therapy with Bella, the horse she chose to work with me, was just amazing. Bella seemed to know exactly what I needed and gave it to me freely. It was like they both knew exactly what I was there for and wanted nothing but the best for me. I was so comfortable, which is hard for me, and that in itself is priceless.
Thank you Donna and Bella for the healing you have started in me already!"
Kristi
Helping Humanity Through the Gift of Healing | Coaching for Women
Honor Thy Horse, Pets, and Human Spirit